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Overview of advances in contraception
1Centre for Reproductive Biology, University of Edinburgh, Contraceptive Development Network, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 37 Chalmers Street, Edinburgh EH3 9EW, UK.
British Medical Bulletin
|March 20, 2001
Summary
Human population growth has surged due to environmental control and reduced natural fertility checks. Modern contraception offers individuals control over fertility, addressing concerns about excessive population growth.
Area of Science:
- Demography
- Environmental Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Historically, natural factors regulated population size in balance with available resources.
- Recent human dominance over the environment has led to exponential population increase, bypassing natural checks like disease and famine.
- Increased life expectancy and changes in infant feeding practices (bottle feeding) have reduced the natural contraceptive effect of breastfeeding, potentially increasing fertility rates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the historical context of population growth and resource availability.
- To understand the factors contributing to recent exponential population increase.
- To highlight the growing importance of contraception for individual fertility management.
Main Methods:
- This study is a review of historical demographic trends.
- Analysis of factors influencing human fertility rates.
- Examination of the societal impact of modern contraception.
Main Results:
- Population growth has outpaced resource availability due to human environmental control.
- Changes in infant feeding practices have diminished natural birth spacing.
- Contraception has emerged as a crucial tool for managing individual fertility.
Conclusions:
- Humanity's success in controlling the environment has disrupted natural population checks.
- Societal and biological changes necessitate individual control over fertility.
- Contraception empowers individuals to manage "excessive fertility" and its associated burdens.